Craig Mauger
@craigmauger.bsky.social
A reporter who covers Michigan politics and government for The Detroit News. www.detroitnews.com
Pinned
Craig Mauger
@craigmauger.bsky.social
· Dec 5
Examining hundreds of pages of documents, we've uncovered 87 secret fundraising accounts that have been accepting political contributions in Michigan over the last 2 years.
That's despite a wave of criminal investigations + calls for transparency reforms: www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
That's despite a wave of criminal investigations + calls for transparency reforms: www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
A group of 22 Michigan Republican lawmakers asked President Donald Trump's U.S. Department of Justice to deploy monitors to vote-counting facilities and to provide general oversight for the state's upcoming elections in 2026. www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
GOP lawmakers ask U.S. Department of Justice to oversee Michigan's 2026 elections
The unusual request for federal supervision came ahead of what will be a pivotal election in the battleground state next year.
www.detroitnews.com
November 15, 2025 at 3:47 PM
A group of 22 Michigan Republican lawmakers asked President Donald Trump's U.S. Department of Justice to deploy monitors to vote-counting facilities and to provide general oversight for the state's upcoming elections in 2026. www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
Matt DePerno, former Michigan attorney general nominee, is fighting the release of text messages that prosecutors say are important evidence in the criminal case against DePerno: www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
Matt DePerno fights release of text messages in 2020 Michigan election tabulator case
Text messages, involving the push to explore 2020 voter fraud theories in Michigan, are now center stage in the court case against Matt DePerno.
www.detroitnews.com
October 10, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Matt DePerno, former Michigan attorney general nominee, is fighting the release of text messages that prosecutors say are important evidence in the criminal case against DePerno: www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
Reposted by Craig Mauger
“We determined that they had been tampered with so we would not allow them to go back into service," an executive with a voting company testified.
Prosecutors begin laying out evidence in high-profile tabulator cases
“We determined that they had been tampered with so we would not allow them to go back into service," an executive with a voting company testified.
bit.ly
October 9, 2025 at 8:26 PM
“We determined that they had been tampered with so we would not allow them to go back into service," an executive with a voting company testified.
Reposted by Craig Mauger
Prosecutors begin laying out evidence in high-profile tabulator tampering cases against former Attorney General candidate Matt DePerno and ex-Rep. Daire Rendon
New reporting from @craigmauger.bsky.social in Royal Oak:
www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
New reporting from @craigmauger.bsky.social in Royal Oak:
www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
Prosecutors begin laying out evidence in high-profile tabulator cases
“We determined that they had been tampered with so we would not allow them to go back into service," an executive with a voting company testified.
www.detroitnews.com
October 9, 2025 at 8:41 PM
Prosecutors begin laying out evidence in high-profile tabulator tampering cases against former Attorney General candidate Matt DePerno and ex-Rep. Daire Rendon
New reporting from @craigmauger.bsky.social in Royal Oak:
www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
New reporting from @craigmauger.bsky.social in Royal Oak:
www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
In Royal Oak this morning for the preliminary exams of Matt DePerno and Daire Rendon.
These exams focus on charges DePerno, former AG nominee, and Rendon, former state rep, were involved in a scheme to improperly access voting machines after the 2020 election.
These exams focus on charges DePerno, former AG nominee, and Rendon, former state rep, were involved in a scheme to improperly access voting machines after the 2020 election.
October 9, 2025 at 2:02 PM
In Royal Oak this morning for the preliminary exams of Matt DePerno and Daire Rendon.
These exams focus on charges DePerno, former AG nominee, and Rendon, former state rep, were involved in a scheme to improperly access voting machines after the 2020 election.
These exams focus on charges DePerno, former AG nominee, and Rendon, former state rep, were involved in a scheme to improperly access voting machines after the 2020 election.
Reposted by Craig Mauger
Hat tip (again) to Beth LeBlanc and @craigmauger.bsky.social with @detroitnews.com for unraveling every last thread in this story. Just outstanding.
Whitmer chief of staff privately apologized over $20M Beydoun grant, records reveal
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is calling on Attorney General Dana Nessel to sue her past campaign donor, Fay Beydoun, to recoup $8.2 million in grant funds.
www.detroitnews.com
October 9, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Hat tip (again) to Beth LeBlanc and @craigmauger.bsky.social with @detroitnews.com for unraveling every last thread in this story. Just outstanding.
Reposted by Craig Mauger
NEW: JPMorgan executive helping lead nonprofit backing Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan’s governor bid
www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
via @craigmauger.bsky.social
www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
via @craigmauger.bsky.social
JPMorgan executive helping lead nonprofit backing Duggan's governor bid
It's unclear how much Put Progress First has spent promoting Mayor Mike Duggan, but the group has bankrolled billboards and paid for social media ads.
www.detroitnews.com
July 30, 2025 at 11:47 AM
NEW: JPMorgan executive helping lead nonprofit backing Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan’s governor bid
www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
via @craigmauger.bsky.social
www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
via @craigmauger.bsky.social
Major news for Michigan this morning:
Semiconductor manufacturing project near Flint, sought by Gov. Whitmer, falls through
Michigan Democrats are blaming President Trump www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
Semiconductor manufacturing project near Flint, sought by Gov. Whitmer, falls through
Michigan Democrats are blaming President Trump www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
Semiconductor manufacturing project near Flint, sought by Gov. Whitmer, falls through
A semiconductor manufacturing project that state officials hoped would bring thousands of jobs to Genesee County is now off the table.
www.detroitnews.com
July 16, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Major news for Michigan this morning:
Semiconductor manufacturing project near Flint, sought by Gov. Whitmer, falls through
Michigan Democrats are blaming President Trump www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
Semiconductor manufacturing project near Flint, sought by Gov. Whitmer, falls through
Michigan Democrats are blaming President Trump www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
An email, obtained by The Detroit News, shows that Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer included a $15 million grant program in her budget proposal for 2023 that was sought by one of her donors. www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer proposed $15M for grant program championed by donor Fay Beydoun
The origins of a lucrative taxpayer grant for a Metro Detroit businesswoman trace back to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's administration, state records show.
www.detroitnews.com
July 9, 2025 at 1:15 PM
An email, obtained by The Detroit News, shows that Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer included a $15 million grant program in her budget proposal for 2023 that was sought by one of her donors. www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
NEWS: A coalition of groups in Michigan, where lawmakers have resisted ethics reforms, will seek a ballot proposal in 2026 to ban political giving by the state’s dominant utilities and major contractors. www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
Michigan campaign will seek to ban political giving by utilities, state contractors
The effort could test the Michigan public's desire to rein in energy and health care companies that have become major forces in state politics.
www.detroitnews.com
June 30, 2025 at 12:26 PM
NEWS: A coalition of groups in Michigan, where lawmakers have resisted ethics reforms, will seek a ballot proposal in 2026 to ban political giving by the state’s dominant utilities and major contractors. www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
The Michigan Senate approved a bill Wednesday that would balloon the ability of government boards and commission to meet in secret. www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
Michigan Senate approves bill to give government boards more chances to meet in secret
One open government advocate said the measure would allow government panels the chance to "shut the doors on almost any controversial issue."
www.detroitnews.com
June 25, 2025 at 9:39 PM
The Michigan Senate approved a bill Wednesday that would balloon the ability of government boards and commission to meet in secret. www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
Michigan lawmakers' personal financial disclosures lacking in details:
- Only 29% went beyond the minimum requirements in listing lobbyist gifts;
- 2 of the 3 lawmakers who reported free tickets didn't detail what they were;
- Many discrepancies. www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
- Only 29% went beyond the minimum requirements in listing lobbyist gifts;
- 2 of the 3 lawmakers who reported free tickets didn't detail what they were;
- Many discrepancies. www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
Michigan lawmakers' personal disclosures often leave out key details
Multiple Michigan lawmakers reported getting tickets to events but didn't say what the events were or how much they were worth, a News review found.
www.detroitnews.com
June 25, 2025 at 1:06 AM
Michigan lawmakers' personal financial disclosures lacking in details:
- Only 29% went beyond the minimum requirements in listing lobbyist gifts;
- 2 of the 3 lawmakers who reported free tickets didn't detail what they were;
- Many discrepancies. www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
- Only 29% went beyond the minimum requirements in listing lobbyist gifts;
- 2 of the 3 lawmakers who reported free tickets didn't detail what they were;
- Many discrepancies. www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
'No one will know': Court records reveal secret money flowing through Lansing www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
'No one will know': Records reveal secret money flowing through Lansing
Court records show how money from wealthy executives secretly flowed to a fundraising account for Michigan Senate Republicans in 2020.
www.detroitnews.com
June 6, 2025 at 1:36 PM
'No one will know': Court records reveal secret money flowing through Lansing www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
Michigan's State Board of Education is calling for mandatory limits on class sizes to be implemented by the 2030-31 school year.
The resolution comes after an investigation by The @detroitnews.bsky.social that published in April. www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
The resolution comes after an investigation by The @detroitnews.bsky.social that published in April. www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
State Board of Education calls for smaller class sizes after Detroit News investigation
The proposal, if enacted by state lawmakers, would represent a sea change for Michigan schools as leaders look to boost struggling literacy rates.
www.detroitnews.com
May 14, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Michigan's State Board of Education is calling for mandatory limits on class sizes to be implemented by the 2030-31 school year.
The resolution comes after an investigation by The @detroitnews.bsky.social that published in April. www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
The resolution comes after an investigation by The @detroitnews.bsky.social that published in April. www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
Kevin Kijewski, a defense lawyer for one of the 15 Michigan Republicans facing criminal charges for signing a certificate falsely claiming President Donald Trump won the 2020 election, has announced he'll seek the GOP's nomination for attorney general. www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
Lawyer for Trump false elector running to be Michigan's attorney general
“Michigan deserves an attorney general who roots out corruption, prosecutes crime and makes sure every legal vote counts,” Kevin Kijewski said.
www.detroitnews.com
April 28, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Kevin Kijewski, a defense lawyer for one of the 15 Michigan Republicans facing criminal charges for signing a certificate falsely claiming President Donald Trump won the 2020 election, has announced he'll seek the GOP's nomination for attorney general. www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
Michigan lawmakers are considering competing bills for how to combat cellphone use at school.
One bill would broadly prohibit phones on school grounds for elementary grades.
Another bill would allow individual districts to decide. www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
One bill would broadly prohibit phones on school grounds for elementary grades.
Another bill would allow individual districts to decide. www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
Michigan lawmakers push competing plans for regulating cellphones in schools
The disagreement could be a test of whether Republicans, who control the House, and Democrats, who lead the Senate, can reach a compromise.
www.detroitnews.com
April 22, 2025 at 10:27 PM
Michigan lawmakers are considering competing bills for how to combat cellphone use at school.
One bill would broadly prohibit phones on school grounds for elementary grades.
Another bill would allow individual districts to decide. www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
One bill would broadly prohibit phones on school grounds for elementary grades.
Another bill would allow individual districts to decide. www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
NEWS: Top Michigan Republicans spent much of the fall criticizing Democrats for ties to the China-linked company Gotion.
On Sunday, President Donald Trump's inaugural committee revealed it accepted $1 million from Gotion.
Story with @grantschwab.bsky.social: www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
.
On Sunday, President Donald Trump's inaugural committee revealed it accepted $1 million from Gotion.
Story with @grantschwab.bsky.social: www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
.
China-linked company donates $1M to Trump inauguration after GOP criticism
Donald Trump blasted Gotion's Mecosta County battery plant five months before his inaugural committee accepted money from the Chinese-linked firm.
www.detroitnews.com
April 21, 2025 at 11:52 PM
NEWS: Top Michigan Republicans spent much of the fall criticizing Democrats for ties to the China-linked company Gotion.
On Sunday, President Donald Trump's inaugural committee revealed it accepted $1 million from Gotion.
Story with @grantschwab.bsky.social: www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
.
On Sunday, President Donald Trump's inaugural committee revealed it accepted $1 million from Gotion.
Story with @grantschwab.bsky.social: www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
.
Thousands of elementary school students in Michigan — some as young as 5 years old — are learning to read and count in classrooms filled with 30 or more children, according to a trove of records obtained by The Detroit News. www.detroitnews.com/story/news/l...
Michigan school districts pack kids into classrooms as reading scores falter
The sizes of elementary school classes that have been allowed in Michigan conflict with what top policymakers say is best for learning.
www.detroitnews.com
April 15, 2025 at 10:27 AM
Thousands of elementary school students in Michigan — some as young as 5 years old — are learning to read and count in classrooms filled with 30 or more children, according to a trove of records obtained by The Detroit News. www.detroitnews.com/story/news/l...
Republican former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers is launching his second campaign for the U.S. Senate in Michigan today: www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
Rogers kicks off second campaign for U.S. Senate seat in Michigan
Republican Mike Rogers, a former seven-term congressman from Livingston County, narrowly lost the 2024 Senate race to Democrat Elissa Slotkin.
www.detroitnews.com
April 14, 2025 at 11:19 AM
Republican former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers is launching his second campaign for the U.S. Senate in Michigan today: www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
A months-long review by the Secretary of State's office has identified 15 individuals who allegedly are not U.S. citizens but still cast ballots in the November presidential election in Michigan. www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
Michigan review finds 15 probable non-U.S. citizens who voted in November
The findings could add fuel to an intensifying debate taking place inside the Michigan Capitol and nationally about voter identification.
www.detroitnews.com
April 3, 2025 at 7:54 PM
A months-long review by the Secretary of State's office has identified 15 individuals who allegedly are not U.S. citizens but still cast ballots in the November presidential election in Michigan. www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
Michigan Democrats are trying to recover from their loss to Donald Trump, facing a leadership overhaul and preparing for an election with everything up for grabs at the state level.
I asked 11 top Michigan Dems about the path forward for their party: www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
I asked 11 top Michigan Dems about the path forward for their party: www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
Michigan Democrats vow to focus on 'results' in bid to bounce back from 2024 losses
Eleven prominent Michigan Democrats weigh in on the future of their party after losing the 2024 presidential race.
www.detroitnews.com
April 1, 2025 at 11:29 AM
Michigan Democrats are trying to recover from their loss to Donald Trump, facing a leadership overhaul and preparing for an election with everything up for grabs at the state level.
I asked 11 top Michigan Dems about the path forward for their party: www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
I asked 11 top Michigan Dems about the path forward for their party: www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
No state’s unemployment rate has grown more over the last year than Michigan’s, according to federal data released Friday. www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
Michigan had largest unemployment jump in nation as growth slows
Michigan has experienced the largest increase in its unemployment rate of the 50 states over the last year, according to federal data released Friday.
www.detroitnews.com
March 29, 2025 at 5:47 PM
No state’s unemployment rate has grown more over the last year than Michigan’s, according to federal data released Friday. www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
In state Sen. Mallory McMorrow’s new book, she writes that then-Michigan Senate Leader Mike Shirkey was “furious” she went public with a sexual harassment complaint against then-Sen. Pete Lucido. www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
Insider: Why ex-Michigan Senate GOP leader inspired chapter title in McMorrow's book
Mike Shirkey was "furious" that Mallory McMorrow went public with a sexual harassment complaint against a fellow senator in 2020.
www.detroitnews.com
March 24, 2025 at 3:58 PM
In state Sen. Mallory McMorrow’s new book, she writes that then-Michigan Senate Leader Mike Shirkey was “furious” she went public with a sexual harassment complaint against then-Sen. Pete Lucido. www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
The Democratic-controlled Michigan Senate approved on Tuesday a resolution in support of policies that promote diversity, equity and inclusion as Republican President Donald Trump attempts to end DEI programs within the federal government. www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
Michigan Senate approves resolution in support of diversity, equity and inclusion
"It's a statement of our values," Sen. Stephanie Chang told reporters after the vote on Tuesday.
www.detroitnews.com
March 18, 2025 at 8:14 PM
The Democratic-controlled Michigan Senate approved on Tuesday a resolution in support of policies that promote diversity, equity and inclusion as Republican President Donald Trump attempts to end DEI programs within the federal government. www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
A Michigan lawmaker who’s leading the charge for a constitutional amendment to combat voter fraud has faced questions over whether he’s living in the House district he represents: www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...
March 18, 2025 at 1:31 PM
A Michigan lawmaker who’s leading the charge for a constitutional amendment to combat voter fraud has faced questions over whether he’s living in the House district he represents: www.detroitnews.com/story/news/p...